“Vinyl” debuted on HBO in February and focuses on the music industry in 1970s New York City. One of the characters in the series is named Mr. Campbell or “Herc,” and there is “no doubt” that he is supposed to portray the real DJ Kool Herc “and his contribution to the development of hip-hop music,” according to the lawsuit filed against HBO in Manhattan Supreme Court on Tuesday.

Before the show aired, representatives from the network approached the Sedgwick Avenue DJ with a contract that would pay him $10,000 for waiving his rights and consultation services regarding the show, but he refused to sign, according to court papers.